Mount Saint Joseph Hospital

Emergency Services

The Emergency Department at Mount Saint Joseph Hospital in East Vancouver is open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. daily.

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Emergency Care

The Emergency Department sees almost 23,000 patients a year, and offers a full range of services to local residents of all ages. For emergency care outside of these hours, please go to the 24-hour emergency departments at either:

When to Go to Emergency

Use good judgement in deciding when to use emergency medical services. If you feel you can apply home treatment safely and wait to see your regular doctor, do so. However, if you believe your situation requires urgent care, go to the Emergency Department. If you are not certain — GO TO THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT.
 

For Urgent Care

Call 911 or visit Mount Saint Joseph Hospital (or your nearest hospital emergency department) if you have:

  • Discomfort or tightness in the chest.
  • More than usual shortness of breath.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Prolonged and persistent or sudden onset headache.
  • An injury that may require stitches or may involve a broken bone.

Or if you are experiencing:

  • A major crisis and as a result feel helpless, hopeless and have nowhere to turn.
  • Or any of the following: confusion, agitation, unconsciousness, severe allergic reaction, swelling of the tongue, lips or throat, severe pain, irregular heartbeat, seizure, paralysis, weakness or loss of sensation, severe vomiting, dehydration, vomiting blood, blood or black color in the stool, overdose, etc.

What to Expect In an Emergency

Once you arrive, a triage nurse will assess your condition and an admitting clerk will take your information. Please have your British Columbia CareCard ready. The most serious cases are seen immediately, and most emergency patients receive care within 30 minutes. However, you may be required to wait longer as patients in the Emergency Department are seen based on the seriousness of their illness or injury and not on time of arrival. Less urgent cases are monitored by the triage nurse and treated appropriately if their condition worsens.
 

For Non-Urgent Care

See your family physician, or if you prefer, visit a local walk-in clinic. If you don’t have a family doctor, go to the College of Physicians and Surgeons of BC for a list of doctors accepting new patients.
 

For Non-Emergency Illnesses

Call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1 for 24-hour access to non-emergency health information and services. You can speak with a nurse about your symptoms, consult with a pharmacist about your medication questions, or get healthy eating advice from a dietitian. You can also find the health services and resources you need that are closest to you. Keep a copy of the BC HealthGuide Handbook at home, or visit HealthLink BC for more health information.
 

Geriatric Emergency Nurses

Geriatric emergency nurses (GEN) are skilled ER nurses with added knowledge of gerontology and community supports, that can be consulted for Emergency Department patients. Their primary goal is to work with the emergency department team to enhance care of patients 70 years of age and older. The GEN facilitates early recognition of geriatric issues, care coordination and appropriate patient disposition.
 

Emergency Program at Providence Health Care

For more in depth information about our Emergency Program and Services at Providence Health Care, including information for academics, researchers and clinical staff, visit our Emergency Program and Services page.
 

Contact

Mount Saint Joseph Hospital
3080 Prince Edward Street
Vancouver, BC V5T 3N4
Phone: 604-874-1141
Open: Monday to Sunday, 8:00 am – 8:00 pm.